Clean water and air free of pollutants, chemicals, and toxins should be one of our inalienable rights, wouldn’t you think? Well, it doesn’t appear that way. If we want to live healthier lives we need to protect ourselves from the toxins added to our air and water. Does a picture of an elephant-like gas mask hit you about right now? No worries, it’s not that bad. Here is what I do to reduce or eliminate toxins from my air.
Avoiding outside air during higher traffic times is important. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I avoided exercising outside on busy streets, especially during rush hour. If you live in a more rural or suburban area, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you.
Cleaner air in my home could probably be an area of improvement for me still. I am all about keeping costs down and keeping life as simple as possible, but with that said I’m sure an air purifier would help keep my air cleaner indoors. Look for air purifiers with HEPA and UV filter technology. If an air purifier is not in your budget right now, change your heating/cooling system filters often and open your windows to air out your house before allergy season starts in your area.
If something smells toxic, it probably is. Whether you’re at the nail salon, mechanic shop, paint store, bars, or just standing on the side of the road, if you smell chemicals, they are entering your body. Try to avoid being in these situations for long periods of time. If you have to be there, wear a mask with a good filtering system. I went 8 months without my much-loved pedicure after my lymphoma diagnosis to avoid the fumes in the nail salon. Even perfumes, body sprays, and colognes are aerosol chemicals. To this day I don’t wear perfume and try to avoid being around people with large amounts of it on. Sorry guys! Now you know why I take a step back when you’re around. 🙂
As the lyrics to Train’s “If It’s Love” go: “I wanna buy ya everything except cologne ‘cause it’s poison.”
Join me tomorrow as we discuss how to protect the water going on your skin, hair, and into your body.
Hello!! It is Bridget Statler, we used to play softball together. I have been reading your post and I am so interested in your story and the information. I am trying to become a healthier person and reading up on alot of the topics you have touched upon. I am thinking of buy an air purifier. What room in the house do you think it is the most appropriate. Thanks!!
Hey Bridget! That is so great to hear. 🙂 If I had one room to put it in it would be which ever room you spend the most time in. It’s a lot of work, but you could put it in the living room throughout the day and then move it to your bedroom at night? Just a thought!